When the first sun in days came out this morning it was a struggle to drive away from the garden to see an indoor matinee, but before the character Elle Woods could say snap I was already groovin’ along and deep into enjoying the musical rendition of a film favourite.

Playing a character made loved and endeared by Reese Witherspoon is not an act easy to follow, but at the Victor Mitchell Theatre, amid the intimate brick walls of the Pumphouse Theatres, actress Ainsley Ohler is pulling it off.

The former Young Canadian brings a wallop of energy, clear vocals, and a whole lot of pink to the bare, black stage. An extra bit of real life intrigue – the character Warner, Elle’s ex whom the former sorority queen, canine purse toting, shopaholic is fighting through the show to win back, is played by real life husband Riley Ohler.

Ohler is not alone in her energetic on-stage approach. She is surrounded by an expressive chorus who nail complicated harmonies and dart daintily around the stage like a shadowy cape of peppy sprites.

With a Spartan stage set, the Front Row Centre (FRC) Players give a raw, feel good performance tailored to audience enjoyment. The diverse cast – a pleasant mix of all shapes, sizes and sexual orientation dawning colourful, well thought out costumes – is a pleasure to watch and works extremely well together.

An added theatre treat – the score to the entire musical is played live by an impressive group of talented musicians who sit in view of the audience above the actor’s stage space.

"...I couldn’t be happier with the cast you are seeing today," Director Carl Bishop writes in his notes. "Every rehearsal they astounded us with how fast they picked up everything we could throw at them."

This meant Rastafarian tunes to Irish dance, and an especially creative number featuring a shocking amount of skipping ropes on a rather small stage. Humour and passion mark every number – like the zesty Bend and Snap to the ironic Gay or European.

As she did in the movie, Elle’s confidante and salon go-to aesthetician Pauline Bonafonté, aptly played by powerhouse vocalist Katelyn Morishita, offers a warm supporting role that often steals the show. This was Morishita’s first performance with FRC, but she has played formerly with Jubilations and the Strathmore Theatre Players Guild.

The woman can belt. Her numbers are deeply engaging, dramatic and funny all at once. No wonder it’s the hunk with tree trunks for thighs that embodies her romantic relief.

Legally Blonde marks FRC’s last show of its 24^th season of performances, and last show that will be performed at the Pumphouse Theatres. The 2013/2014 season will open with My Fair Lady at the new, state of the art facilities of the Beddington Heights Community Arts Centre.

The new venue promises increased technology, and preferably improved sound. At times performer’s mikes seemed to be off or set out of balance with the instrumental accompaniment.

Tickets to Legally Blonde, which opened May 24^th and runs until June 8^th, can be purchased on their website. If you miss this run, consider a season’s subscription to gain the best value for next season. Prices start as low as $45 for four shows per adult seat.

Show times are offered every night from Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm with 2pm matinees available Saturday and Sunday.

"Legally Blonde is a story of discovery. Discovering that you can be more than your preconceived notions of who you are and what you are capable of," writes Bishop. "We hope that you discover something amazing and enjoy this show as much as we enjoyed making it."